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It is now appropriate to begin evaluating Alexander Isak justly as a £125 million Anfield striker, the Liverpool head coach stated on the weekend. In that case, judgment must be harsh, but as Britain’s most expensive footballer was seated alongside Mohamed Salah on the Reds bench while the English top-flight title holders attempted unsuccessfully to secure an equaliser against Manchester United in their absence, it was not the manager's underperforming offence that earned the harshest scrutiny at the stadium. His defence has evaporated.

Anonymous Display from Key Forwards

Indeed, Isak was largely quiet in the centre-forward position and Salah again poor as his personal struggles continued versus the club he typically plunders. The Swedish international had his first attempt on goal in the top division as a Liverpool player in the first half, excellently denied by United’s latest goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Salah missed a excellent after the break opportunity facing the home end and could not protest when their numbers eventually. The Dutch attacker also struck the crossbar three times and somehow failed to net a second moments after Harry Maguire’s winner.

Unthinkable Loss In Spite of Opportunities

It ought to have been impossible for the hosts to be defeated in a game in which they generated so many chances, Slot claimed. But it is possible with a backline in such condition, as one opponent, another rival and currently United have proven.

Backline Breakdown During Scrutiny

As he presided over a fourth consecutive loss as Liverpool manager, the first man to do so since Brendan Rodgers in November 2014, Slot must have despaired at a defensive performance that allowed United to seize control as well as their initial win at the ground since January 2016. Filled with the same mistakes that the team's coaching staff had focused on eradicating following the pause, including yet another set-piece goal, it was a performance that totally derailed the title holders' after halftime comeback and cost them the match.

Momentum Squandered Despite Improvement

The upper hand was at last with the home side when Gakpo cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo’s quick breakthrough. The Merseyside club could feel one more late victory with substitutes Hugo Ekitiké, a midfielder and Federico Chiesa igniting progress and United in retreat. Instead, it was another late Premier League defeat, the third straight, after the team's dead-ball weaknesses resurfaced and the defender found himself among several United players unmarked past the centre-back in the closing stages.

Purposeful Rivals Outperform

A powerful header into the goal that the player blazed over in the final moments of last season’s 2-2 draw gave Ruben Amorim the finest victory of his challenging United tenure. For all the criticism around Amorim it was his squad that performed with definite plan and a smartly implemented approach for the bulk of a compelling encounter. The initial back-to-back Premier League victories of Amorim’s time in charge were the result. The Liverpool side again looked like unfamiliar at points, especially when allowing a set-piece score for the fifth occasion in the division the current campaign.

Quick Goal Exposes Defensive Issues

The home side were exposed from the inception to the finish of Mbeumo’s 62-second opener. There was little impact on the first header from Virgil van Dijk, a probable result of having to go through two players to connect with the pass, admittedly, and no pressure on the playmaker when he took possession and released the winger in open area on the right. the defender was late to react, Van Dijk delayed to track back and mark the forward's run while the goalkeeper, deputising for the unavailable Alisson in goal, was comfortably beaten from the angle.

Officiating and Focus Issues

Slot could justifiably point to his head and ask why the whistle was from Michael Oliver, an official with whom he has a contentious history, but also doubt the concentration and communication among his backline. The forward's goal means Slot’s side have kept only a couple of clean sheets in 12 matches this season, the most recent coming eight games ago at another ground.

Constant Targeting of Defensive Side

United exposed the left side frequently in a first half in which the midfielder, Mason Mount and even the attacker all nearly scored to increasing the away team's lead. Releasing Diallo quickly versus the full-back was clearly in the manager's strategy. It worked time and again in the opening half. The £40m summer signing from his former club endured another tough match in a club shirt. Throw-ins were even a problem for the previous player's chosen successor, who nearly sent Mbeumo in on goal while attempting an interception. The defender and the captain appear on not in sync at present.

Coach's Explanation and Admission

“Our approach involves a lot of risks,” Slot explained following United’s victory. “After the second half we had multiple attacking players on the pitch. That’s perhaps why our structure for the dead-ball was less organized as we usually are. Normally we would have additional defensive personnel on the pitch. Perhaps it is a fluke but it is no justification. The team understands we have to do better.”